Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson has died aged 61, following a battle with a long-term illness, reported The Mirror.

The Swedish popstar, who co-created Roxette with Per Gessle in 1986, died on Monday morning.

"Marie Fredriksson is most mourned by her husband Mikael Bolyos and their two children," Marie's family wrote in a statement.

"It is with great sadness that we have to announce that one of our biggest and most beloved artists is gone. Marie Fredriksson died on the morning of December 9 in the suites of her previous illness."

Marie was best known for her Roxette hits It Must Have Been Love - featured in the 1990 box office hit Pretty Woman - Joyride, Listen To Your Heart and The Look.

The pop duo were huge in their time, selling more than 75million records around the world and scoring 19 Top 40 hits, which propelled them to the height of fame.

Her co-star Per also paid tribute to Marie, tweeting, "Time goes by so quickly. It’s not that long ago we spent days+nights in my tiny apartment sharing impossible dreams.

"And what a dream we eventually got to share! I'm honoured to have met your talent+generosity. All my love goes to you+your family. Things will never be the same."

Time goes by so quickly. It’s not that long ago we spent days+nights in my tiny apartment sharing impossible dreams. And what a dream we eventually got to share! I’m honoured to have met your talent+generosity. All my love goes to you+your family. Things will never be the same. pic.twitter.com/CTegAUGrXG

— Per Gessle (@PartyPleaser) December 10, 2019

Marie leaves behind her husband Mikael and their two children, 26-year-old daughter Inez Josefin and son Oscar, 23.

She previously battled a brain tumour in 2002, having been diagnosed after fainting at home.

Doctors warned that she only had a 20% chance of survival, but she managed to recover after a long and gruelling course of treatment.

The band took a 17-year break as Marie dealt with the health problems she developed as a result of radiation damage from her treatment.

She reunited with Roxette and toured in 2011, then performed at the Swedish royal weddings of Princess Victoria in 2010 and Princess Madeleine in 2013.

Marie was forced to give up her beloved music in 2016 when doctors told her she would no longer be able to tour or record.

"It's hard work. Marie can no longer tour," her manager Marie Dimberg said at the time.